Vehicle body structure of vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle body structure in a vehicle rear portion includes a first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework (RWC1) extending in a vehicle lateral direction in a vehicle body rear portion (1R) from vicinities of a pair of left and right damper support portions (54) supporting suspension dampers (55) and disposed in rear wheelhouses (52) at vehicle rear of side door openings (Es) of the vehicle. The vehicle body structure also includes coupling members (33) coupling longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks (SLC) each having a substantially ring shape in a vehicle longitudinal direction to the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework (RWC1).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technique disclosed here relates to a vehicle body structure forminga vehicle body framework having a substantially ring shape in a vehiclewidth direction (lateral direction) near damper support portions of rearsuspensions.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a floor cross-member,wheelhouse reinforcements, and a rear end cross-member form a vehiclebody framework having a substantially ring shape in a vehicle widthdirection (lateral direction) and extending from portions near dampersupport portions of left and right rear suspensions to a rear end sothat support stiffness of the damper support portions in the rearsuspensions can be enhanced.

Substantially ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks are also formed at theperipheries of side door openings and are coupled to a vehicle bodyframework having a substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection so that support stiffness of suspensions can be enhanced inthe entire vehicle body, but the damper support portions in the rearsuspensions are separated from the substantially ring-shaped vehiclebody frameworks formed at the peripheries of the side door openings.Thus, it has been difficult to enhance support stiffness of thesuspensions in the entire vehicle body.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2006-193047

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The technique disclosed here has been made in view of the foregoingcircumstances, and has an object of providing a vehicle body structurethat can enhance support stiffness of suspensions in the entire vehiclebody.

Solution to the Problem

The technique disclosed here is directed to a vehicle body structureincluding: first vehicle body frameworks each having a substantiallyring shape in a vehicle longitudinal direction and disposed atperipheries of side door openings of the vehicle; and a second vehiclebody framework having a substantially ring shape in a vehicle lateraldirection and disposed at vehicle rear of the side door openings of thevehicle, wherein the first vehicle body framework includes a pair ofleft and right hinge pillars disposed in a vehicle front portion, a pairof left and right front pillars extending rearward in the vehicle fromupper ends of the pair of left and right hinge pillars, a pair of leftand right roof side rails extending rearward in the vehicle from upperends of the pair of left and right front pillars, a pair of left andright side pillars disposed along rear ends of the side door openings,and a pair of left and right side sills coupling lower ends of the pairof left and right side pillars to lower ends of the pair of left andright hinge pillars in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the secondvehicle body framework includes a rear end cross-member coupling, in thevehicle lateral direction, lower ends of a pair of left and right rearpillars extending rearward and downward in the vehicle from lower endsof the pair of left and right roof side rails, a pair of left and rightrear wheelhouses, damper support portions supporting suspension dampersbeing disposed in upper portions of the pair of left and right rearwheelhouses, a pair of left and right coupling gussets coupling the rearend cross-member to the upper portions of the pair of left and rightrear wheelhouses in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a pair of leftand right the rear wheelhouses, the damper support portions beingdisposed in upper portions of the pair of left and right the rearwheelhouses, a pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements disposedalong the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses and located at vehiclefront of the damper support portions, front portions of upper ends ofthe pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements being joined torear ends of the pair of left and right side pillars, and a floorcross-member coupling lower ends of the pair of left and rightwheelhouse reinforcements in the vehicle lateral direction, and thevehicle body structure includes coupling members coupling front ends ofthe pair of left and right side pillars to the pair of left and rightwheelhouse reinforcements, vehicle parts being attached to the couplingmembers.

With this configuration, support stiffness of suspensions can beenhanced in the entire vehicle body.

Specifically, the vehicle body frameworks each having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction are constituted by thepair of left and right hinge pillars disposed in the vehicle frontportion, the pair of left and right front pillars extending rearwardfrom the upper ends of the hinge pillars, the pair of left and rightroof side rails, the pair of left and right side pillars disposed alongthe rear ends of the side door openings, and the pair of left and rightside sills coupling the lower ends of the side pillars to the lower endsof the hinge pillars in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The vehiclebody framework having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelateral direction is constituted by the rear end cross-member coupling,in the vehicle lateral direction, the lower ends of the pair of left andright rear pillars extending rearward and downward from the rear ends ofthe pair of left and right roof side rails, the pair of left and rightcoupling gussets coupling the rear end cross-member to upper portions ofthe rear wheelhouses in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the pair ofleft and right rear wheelhouses having upper portions in which thedamper support portions are disposed, the pair of left and rightwheelhouse reinforcements disposed along the rear wheelhouses, locatedahead of the damper support portions, and having front portions of theupper ends coupled to the rear ends of the side pillars, and the floorrear cross-member coupling the lower ends of the wheelhousereinforcements in the vehicle lateral direction.

In addition, the front ends of the side pillars constituting the vehiclebody frameworks each having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelongitudinal direction are coupled to the wheelhouse reinforcementsconstituting the vehicle body framework having the substantially ringshape in the vehicle lateral direction, by the coupling members to whichvehicle parts are attached. Thus, vehicle body frameworks havingsubstantially ring shapes in multiple directions with respect to thevehicle can be formed so that support stiffness of the suspensions inthe entire vehicle can be enhanced. Thus, forces input by the frontsuspensions and the rear suspensions can be transferred without delay sothat comfort of passengers can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the use of members for attaching the vehicle parts as thecoupling members for coupling the substantially ring-shaped vehicle bodyframeworks can suppress an increase in the number of parts and alsosuppress an increase in weight.

In addition, the coupling members can reinforce joint portions betweenthe side pillars and the wheelhouse reinforcements, and thus, the sidepillars can be coupled to the wheelhouse reinforcements with higherstiffness.

Even in a case where the lower ends of the side pillars are separatedaway from the damper support portions, both of stiffness at rear edgesof the side door openings and support stiffness of the damper supportportions are ensured, the side pillars can be coupled to the wheelhousereinforcements.

The substantially ring-shaped vehicle body framework may have any shapeas long as the vehicle body framework has a substantially ring shapewith which a mechanical load can be transferred, and may have asubstantially ring shape constituted by a plurality of members. A memberconstituting the substantially ring-shaped vehicle body framework may bea member having a closed cross section, or may be a member having anopen cross section as long as the member can be evaluated as amechanically structural member. The open member preferably constitutes aclosed cross section together with another member.

In the vehicle body structure, portions of the coupling members towardthe pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements may be coupled tofront parts of the damper support portions.

With this configuration, the pair of left and right the rear wheelhousesconstituting the vehicle body framework having the substantially ringshape in the vehicle lateral direction and having upper portions inwhich the damper support portions are disposed are directly coupled tothe coupling members. Thus, it is possible to enhance stiffness incoupling the vehicle body frameworks each having the substantially ringshape in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the vehicle bodyframework having the substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection.

Even in the case where the distance between the damper support portionsand the side pillar reinforcements is large, the coupling memberscoupling the wheelhouse reinforcements to the front ends of the sidepillar reinforcements can ensure stiffness of the damper supportportions, and portions of the wheelhouse reinforcements and the couplingmembers for attaching vehicle parts are used for coupling the vehiclebody frameworks each having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelongitudinal direction to the vehicle body framework having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

In the vehicle body structure, the coupling members may be constitutedby striker attachment brackets to which strikers are attached, and thestrikers are configured to be engaged with latches of seat backs.

With this configuration, the striker attachment brackets to be engagedwith latches of seat backs function as the coupling members, and thestriker attachment brackets are used for enhancing stiffness in couplingthe vehicle body frameworks each having the substantially ring shape inthe vehicle longitudinal direction to the vehicle body framework havingthe substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

In the vehicle body structure, reinforcing plates to which vehicle partsare attached may be disposed at sides of the damper support portions inside panel inners constituting the pair of left and right side pillarstogether with side pillar reinforcements, and the reinforcing plates maycouple rear pillars extending rearward from rear ends of the pair ofleft and right roof side rails to rear ends of upper ends of the pair ofleft and right wheelhouse reinforcements.

With this configuration, the reinforcing plates disposed in the sidepanel inners at the sides of the damper support portions are coupled tothe rear ends of the upper ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements, andthe upper ends of the reinforcing plates are coupled to the rearpillars. Thus, the reinforcing plates to which the second vehicle partsare attached are used for enhancing stiffness in coupling the vehiclebody frameworks each having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelongitudinal direction to the vehicle body framework having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

In the vehicle body structure including the reinforcing plates, thereinforcing plates may be constituted by attachment plates to whichseatbelt retractors are attached.

With this configuration, the attachment plates for the seatbeltretractors function as the reinforcing plates, and the attachment platesare used for enhancing stiffness in coupling the vehicle body frameworkseach having the substantially ring shape in the vehicle longitudinaldirection to the vehicle body framework having the substantially ringshape in the vehicle lateral direction.

In the vehicle body structure including the attachment plates,attachment brackets may be disposed for attachment across the attachmentplates and the side pillar reinforcements.

With this configuration, the attachment brackets to which the seatbeltretractors are attached are used for enhancing stiffness in coupling thevehicle body frameworks each having the substantially ring shape in thevehicle longitudinal direction to the vehicle body framework having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

In the vehicle body structure, the damper support portions may extend tothe pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements, and may beconstituted by thick portions thicker than other portions.

With this configuration, the coupling gussets constituting the vehiclebody framework having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelateral direction couples the rear end cross-member to the thickportions in the rear wheelhouse in the vehicle longitudinal direction.Thus, the vehicle body framework has higher stiffness.

In addition, even in the case where the damper support portions disposedin the rear wheelhouses are separated away from the wheelhousereinforcements, the thick portions thicker than the other portion andextending to the wheelhouse reinforcements can suppress a decrease insupport stiffness.

The vehicle body structure may further include a third vehicle bodyframework having a substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection is disposed near the damper support portions of left and rightrear suspensions and constituted by a rear header, side pillarreinforcements disposed at rear ends of the side door openings, the pairof left and right wheelhouse reinforcements, and a floor cross-member.

With this configuration, the side pillar reinforcements are used forcoupling the vehicle body framework having the substantially ring shapein the vehicle lateral direction and formed across the rear end from thevicinities of the damper support portions of the left and right rearsuspensions to the vehicle body framework having the substantially ringshape in the vehicle lateral direction around the vicinities of thedamper support portions of the left and right rear suspensions. Thus,support stiffness of the damper support portions of the rear suspensionsin the vehicle body rear portion can be further enhanced so that supportstiffness of the suspensions in the entire vehicle body can be enhanced.

Advantages of the Invention

The technique disclosed here can enhance support stiffness of thesuspensions in the entire vehicle body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A perspective view illustrating a vehicle body structureaccording to an embodiment when seen from the front.

FIG. 2 A perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a main portion ofthe vehicle body structure in a vehicle rear portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 A side view illustrating the main portion of the vehicle bodystructure in the vehicle rear portion of the embodiment when seen fromthe inside.

FIG. 4 An enlarged side view illustrating the main portion of thevehicle body structure in the vehicle rear portion of the embodimentwhen seen from the inside.

FIG. 5 A front view taken along an A-A cross section in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 An enlarged perspective view illustrating the main portion of thevehicle body structure in the vehicle rear portion of the embodimentwhen seen from the inside.

FIG. 7 An enlarged side view illustrating the main portion of thevehicle body structure in the vehicle rear portion of the embodimentwhen seen from the inside.

FIG. 8 A perspective view illustrating a vehicle body structure in avehicle front portion according to the embodiment when seen from thefront.

FIG. 9 An end view illustrating a side in a vehicle lateral directiontaken along an A-A cross section in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 A front view taken along a B-B cross section in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 An end view taken along a C-C cross section in FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 An end view taken along a D-D cross section in FIG. 4.

FIG. 13 An end view taken along an E-E cross section in FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 An end view taken along an F-F cross section in FIG. 4.

FIG. 15 An end view taken along a G-G cross section in FIG. 4.

FIG. 16 An end view taken along an H-H cross section in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment will be described in detail based on thedrawings.

A vehicle body structure in a vehicle rear portion according to thisembodiment is laterally symmetric, and thus, only a left side of thevehicle body is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 7, 9, and 11 through 16.FIG. 3 does not show an attachment bracket 35.

In the drawings, arrows Fr and Rr represent front-rear directions(longitudinal direction), arrow Fr represents a forward direction, andan arrow Rr represents a rearward direction. Arrows Rh and Lh representwidth directions (lateral directions), and arrow Rh represents arightward direction, and arrow Lh represents a leftward direction. ArrowIN represents an inward direction in a vehicle lateral direction, andarrow OUT represents an outward direction in the vehicle lateraldirection.

The vehicle body structure in the vehicle rear portion of thisembodiment is a structure of a so-called hatchback vehicle having a rearopening Er in a vehicle body rear portion 1R of a vehicle body 1 inwhich a trunk 3 is disposed at the rear of (behind) a cabin 2. The rearopening Er is configured to be covered with a lift gate (not shown) suchthat the rear opening Er is opened and closed. A portion of the vehiclebody 1 behind center pillars 43 described later is defined as thevehicle body rear portion 1R, and a portion at the front of (ahead of)the center pillars 43 is defined as a vehicle body front portion 1F.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, in the vehiclebody rear portion 1R of this embodiment, a floor panel 21 is disposed onthe floor of the cabin 2. A laterally center portion of the floor panel21 projects inward in the cabin 2 to integrally form a tunnel portion 22(floor tunnel) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, the rear end of the floor panel 21 iscoupled to a trunk floor portion 31 extending rearward substantiallyhorizontally and in the vehicle lateral direction, through a floor rearcross-member 23 (see FIG. 2) extending as a vertical wall.

Accordingly, in the cabin 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, apassenger space where the floor panel 21 is provided with anunillustrated seat (a seat cushion and a seat back) communicates, in thevehicle longitudinal direction, with a space in the trunk 3 locatedbehind the passenger space and having a trunk floor portion 31 at ahigher level than the floor panel 21 at the bottom.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the floor rear cross-member 23rises to a level higher than the level of the upper surface of thetunnel portion 22, and a laterally intermediate portion of the floorrear cross-member 23 is joined to the tunnel portion 22. The floor rearcross-member 23 bridges rear ends of left and right side sills 46described later.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the side sills 46 are joined and fixedto the outer lateral ends of the floor panel 21. As illustrated in FIG.5, each of the side sills 46 is a vehicle body rigid member that has aclosed cross-section space 46s extending in the vehicle longitudinaldirection and formed by joining and fixing an inner panel 46 a and anouter panel 46 b each having a hat shape in cross section.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a roof portion 9 of the vehicle isconstituted by a pair of left and right roof side rails 91 extending inthe vehicle longitudinal direction at the left and right sides of thevehicle body, a rear header 92 extending in the vehicle lateraldirection at rear sides of the roof side rails 91, a roof cross-member93 extending in the vehicle lateral direction in a longitudinallyintermediate portion of the roof portion 9, a front header 94 extendingin the vehicle lateral direction at front sides of the roof side rails91, and a roof panel 95 covering a ceiling portion of the cabin 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, each of the roof side rails 91 is a vehiclebody rigid member that has a closed cross-section space 91 s extendingin the vehicle longitudinal direction and formed by welding and fixing aroof side rail outer panel 91 a, a roof reinforcement 91 b, and a roofside rail inner panel 91 c.

As described above, the roof panel 95 is disposed over a regionsurrounded by the pair of left and right roof side rails 91, the frontheader 94, and the rear header 92, and extends in the vehiclelongitudinal direction and the vehicle lateral direction in a vehicleupper portion. The roof panel 95 is a panel member made of a steelsheet. Each of the front header 94 and the rear header 92 constitutes asubstantially closed cross-section space structure together with theroof panel 95 disposed above the front header 94 and the rear header 92.The front header 94 and the rear header 92 constitute vehicle body rigidmembers extending in the vehicle lateral direction in a front portionand a rear portion, respectively, of the roof panel 95.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear header 92 disposed at the rear of theroof panel 95 is integrated with a gutter portion 96 so that the rearheader 92 and the gutter portion 96 form a closed cross-section space92s extending in the vehicle lateral direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the rear opening Er is formedbehind the rear header 92. Opening edges at the left and right sides ofthe rear opening Er are provided with a pair of left and right rearpillars 41 extending rearward and downward from the rear ends of theroof side rails 91 (i.e., portions corresponding to portions coupled tolateral ends of the rear header 92).

As illustrated in FIG. 11, each of the rear pillars 41 is a vehicle bodyrigid member having a rear pillar closed cross-section space 41 s formedby joining and fixing a rear pillar outer 41 a and a rear pillar inner41 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, the opening edge of the rear openingEr formed behind the rear header 92 is provided with a rear endcross-member 71 that extends in the vehicle lateral direction andcouples lower ends of the pair of left and right rear pillars 41extending rearward and downward from the rear ends of the roof siderails 91.

Specifically, at the rear of the trunk 3, the rear end cross-member 71constitutes a rear end 7 extending upward from the rear end of the trunkfloor portion 31, together with a rear end panel 72. The rear end panel72 is a panel member extending upward from the rear end of the trunkfloor portion 31. The rear end panel 72 constitutes a vehicle body rigidmember having a closed cross-section space 71 s extending in the vehiclelateral direction by joining the rear end cross-member 71 having ahat-shaped cross section to the inner surface of the upper end of therear end panel 72 facing the trunk 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, side pillars 42 extending downwardand forward from the rear ends of the roof side rails 91 are disposed inboth side portions of the vehicle body rear portion 1R between the rearends of the side sills 46 and the rear ends of the roof side rails 91(i.e., portions corresponding to portions joined to both lateral ends ofthe rear header 92). The side pillars 42 couple the rear ends of theside sills 46 to the rear ends of the roof side rails 91. The distanceof the thus-configured side pillars 42 from damper support portions 54increases toward the bottom.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, in side portions of the vehiclebody rear portion 1R, the center pillars 43 extending in the vehicletop-bottom direction (vertical direction) are disposed betweenlongitudinally intermediate portions of the side sills 46 (i.e.,portions of the side sills 46 ahead of a front cross-member 24) andlongitudinally intermediate portions of the roof side rails 91 (i.e.,portions of the roof side rails 91 corresponding to the roofcross-member 93 in the longitudinal direction). The center pillars 43couple the intermediate portions of the side sills 46 to theintermediate portions of the roof side rails 91.

Although not shown, each of the center pillars 43 is a vehicle bodyrigid member having a closed cross-section space formed by joining andfixing a center pillar inner and a center pillar outer substantiallyentirely in the vehicle vertical direction. The center pillars 43 and 43in the vehicle body side portions are respectively coupled to the leftand right outer ends of the front cross-member 24 described later in thevehicle lateral direction.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in side portions of the vehiclebody front portion 1F, front pillars 44 and hinge pillars 45 extendingin the vehicle vertical direction are disposed between the front ends ofthe side sills 46 and the front ends of the roof side rails 91 (i.e.,portions corresponding to portions coupled to the lateral ends of thefront header 94). The front pillars 44 and the hinge pillars 45 couplethe front ends of the side sills 46 to the front ends of the roof siderails 91.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, in the vehicle body frontportion 1F of this embodiment, the front pillars 44 extending from frontlower portions to rear upper portions are disposed at the lateral sides,and lower portions of the front pillars 44 are coupled to the hingepillars 45 extending in the vertical direction.

Each of the front pillars 44 joins a front pillar inner and a frontpillar outer to each other. Each of the hinge pillars 45 joins a hingepillar inner and a hinge pillar outer to each other. Each of the frontpillars 44 and the hinge pillars 45 is a vehicle body rigid memberhaving a closed cross-section space.

As described above, the pair of left and right roof side rails 91extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction are continuously formedat the rear ends of the left and right front pillars 44. The frontheader 94 extending in the vehicle lateral direction (see FIG. 1) isbridged between the upper ends of the left and right front pillars 44 asdescribed above. The rear header 92 extending in the vehicle lateraldirection is bridged between the rear ends of the left and right roofside rails 91.

In the vehicle body front portion 1F of the vehicle body 1 constitutingthe side portions as described above, the center pillars 43, front halfportions of the side sills 46, the hinge pillars 45, the front pillars44, and front half portions of the roof side rails 91 constitute frontside door openings Esf to which unillustrated front side doors areattached. In the vehicle body rear portion 1R, the center pillars 43,rear half portions of the side sills 46, the side pillars 42, and rearhalf portions of the roof side rails 91 constitute rear side dooropenings Esr to which unillustrated rear side doors are attached.

That is, the front side door openings Esf are formed ahead of the centerpillars 43, the rear side door openings Esr are formed behind the centerpillars 43. The side pillars 42 are disposed along the rear ends of therear side door openings Esr.

As also described above, the front side door openings Esf at the vehiclefront of (ahead of) the center pillars 43 and the rear side dooropenings Esr at the vehicle rear of (behind) the center pillars 43 areformed, and in the vehicle body side portions, the side sills 46, thehinge pillars 45, the front pillars 44, the roof side rails 91, and theside pillars 42 constitute the side door openings Es, and the sidepillars 42 are disposed along the rear ends of the side door openingsEs. In this manner, in the vehicle body side portions, the side sills46, the hinge pillars 45, the front pillars 44, the roof side rails 91,and the side pillars 42 forming the side door openings Es constitutesubstantially ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks extending in thevehicle longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC) as a vehicle body structure ateach of the left and right vehicle body side portions, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

In the vehicle body rear portion 1R, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through7, 12, and 13, side panels 51 are disposed between the side pillars 42and the rear pillars 41, that is, at laterally outer sides of the trunk3. Below the side panels 51, rear wheelhouses 52 are disposed atlaterally both sides of the trunk floor portion 31. Ahead of the rearwheelhouses 52, wheelhouse reinforcements 53 extending in the verticaldirection are provided. In upper portions of the rear wheelhouses 52,the damper support portions 54 supporting upper portions of suspensiondampers 55 are provided.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, each of the side panels 51 isconstituted by a side panel outer 51 a at a vehicle outer side and aside panel inner 51 b toward the trunk 3. In a closed cross-sectionspace 51 s formed between the side panel outer 51 a and the side panelinner 51 b, the side pillar 42 is constituted by a side pillarreinforcement 42 a attached to the side panel inner 51 b.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the side pillarreinforcement 42 a having a substantially hat-shaped cross section inplan view is attached to the inner surface of the side panel inner 51 btoward the closed cross-section space 51 s so that the side panel inner51 b and the side pillar reinforcement 42 a constitute the side pillar42 serving as a vehicle body rigid member and having the closedcross-section space 42s extending in the vehicle vertical direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in a cross section in a vehicle front view,each of the rear wheelhouses 52 is constituted by a rear wheelhouseouter panel 52 a and a rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b that are twobranches, in the vehicle lateral direction, from the lower end of theside panel inner 51 b constituting the side panel 51. The rearwheelhouse 52 forms a space where an unillustrated wheel is disposed atan outer side of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a “rearwheelhouse space H”).

The rear wheelhouse outer panel 52 a is formed to expand from the lowerend of the side panel inner 51 b outward in the vehicle lateraldirection, and is coupled to the lower end of the side panel outer 51 aat the outermost side and at the bottom. Thus, the rear wheelhouse outerpanel 52 a constitutes a bottom portion of the closed cross-sectionspace 51 s formed between the side panel outer 51 a and the side panelinner 51 b. The lower end of the side pillar reinforcement 42 aconstituting the side pillar 42 is coupled to an intermediate portion ofthe rear wheelhouse outer panel 52 a.

The rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b is formed to expand from the lowerend of the side panel inner 51 b downward and inward in the vehiclelateral direction, that is, expand toward the trunk 3, and is coupled tothe laterally outer end of the trunk floor portion 31 at the innermostside and at the bottom. Thus, the rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b has asubstantially semicircular dome shape projecting from the side panelinner 51 b toward the trunk 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an upper portion of the thus-configured rearwheelhouse inner panel 52 b, that is, a portion supporting thesuspension damper 55 is thicker (hereinafter referred to as an upperthick portion 56) than the other portion, and constitutes a mechanicalstructural member.

As described above, the upper thick portion 56 thicker than the otherportion constitutes the damper support portions 54 that fixes andsupports the upper end of the suspension damper 55 (FIG. 2) disposed inthe rear wheelhouse space H at the outer side of the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, ahead of the longitudinal center of the rearwheelhouse inner panel 52 b, the wheelhouse reinforcement 53 is disposedalong the surface of the rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b toward thetrunk 3 while tilting forward from an upper portion of the rearwheelhouse inner panel 52 b toward a lower portion of the rearwheelhouse inner panel 52 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 has asubstantially hat-shaped cross section in plan view, and is attached tothe inner surface of the rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b toward thetrunk 3 so that the rear wheelhouse inner panel 52 b and the wheelhousereinforcements 53 constitute a vehicle body rigid member including aclosed cross-section space 53s extending in the vehicle verticaldirection.

An upper portion of the thus-configured wheelhouse reinforcements 53 isfixed to the upper thick portion 56 of the rear wheelhouse inner panel52 b, and a front portion of the upper end of the wheelhousereinforcements 53 is coupled to the rear end of an upper portion of theside pillar 42 as illustrated in FIG. 12, which is a D-D end view inFIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower end of the wheelhousereinforcements 53 is coupled to the laterally outer side of the floorrear cross-member 23.

Coupling members 33 coupling the front ends of upper portions of theside pillars 42 to front parts of the damper support portions 54 nearthe upper ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 are disposed in asubstantially oblique direction toward the front and upward in thevehicle.

Each of the coupling members 33 is a striker attachment bracket to whicha striker 33 a is attached. The striker 33 a is configured to be engagedwith a latch of a seat back constituting an unillustrated rear seatdisposed on the floor panel 21 in a passenger space of the cabin 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, which is a G-G end view in FIG. 4, each of thecoupling members 33 has a projecting portion projecting toward the cabin2 from the laterally outer side thereof, and is a structural member madeof steel and having section stiffness.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the rear end of each of the coupling members33 is wide so as to be coupled to the projection of the wheelhousereinforcement 53 having a hat shape in cross section. The width of therear end of the coupling member 33 gradually decreases toward the frontend of the coupling member 33 coupled to the front end of an upperportion of the side pillar 42. The coupling between the front end of thecoupling member 33 to the upper end of the upper portion of the sidepillar 42 and the coupling of the rear end of the coupling member 33 tothe upper thick portion 56 as the front part of the damper supportportion 54 near the upper end of the wheelhouse reinforcement 53 aremade with unillustrated fastening bolts.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the coupling of the front end of the couplingmember 33 to the front end of the upper portion of the side pillar 42 ismade by coupling the front end of the coupling member 33 to the frontend of an upper portion of the side pillar reinforcement 42 a disposedin the closed cross-section space 51 s formed between the side panelouter 51 a and the side panel inner 51 b, through the side panel inner51 b. A portion of the coupling member 33 toward the wheelhousereinforcement is coupled to a front part of the damper support portion.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a reinforcing plate 34 couplingthe rear pillar 41 to the rear end of an upper end portion of thewheelhouse reinforcement 53, and an attachment bracket 35 for attachmentacross the reinforcing plate 34 and the side pillar 42 are disposed ateach side of the damper support portions 54 in the side panel 51.

The reinforcing plate 34 is an attachment plate for attaching a seatbeltretractor for a rear seat through the attachment bracket 35, and is aband-shaped plate member having a predetermined width and apredetermined thickness. The reinforcing plate 34 is disposed to extendupward and rearward in the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the reinforcing plate 34 is disposed alongthe side panel inner 51 b in the closed cross-section space 51 s formedby the side panel outer 51 a and the side panel inner 51 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the attachment bracket 35 for attachmentacross the reinforcing plate 34 and the side pillar 42 includes: a frontend attachment portion 35 a that is a front end portion of theattachment bracket 35 and is attached to the side pillar 42; a rear endattachment portion 35 b that is a rear end portion of the attachmentbracket 35 and is attached to the reinforcing plate 34 through the sidepanel inner 51 b; and an attachment body 35 c that is located betweenthe front end attachment portion 35 a and the rear end attachmentportion 35 b and bends relative to the front end attachment portion 35 aand the rear end attachment portion 35 b. A seatbelt retractor for arear seat is attached to the attachment body 35 c in a predeterminedorientation.

The rear end of the upper portion of the side pillar 42 is attached tothe front end attachment portion 35 a by coupling, with an unillustratedfastening bolt through the side panel inner 51 b, the rear end of anupper portion of the side pillar reinforcement 42 a disposed in theclosed cross-section space 51 s formed between the side panel outer 51 aand the side panel inner 51 b to the front end attachment portion 35 a.

The rear end of the upper portion of the side pillar 42 is attached tothe rear end attachment portion 35 b by coupling, with an unillustratedfastening bolt through the side panel inner 51 b, the rear end of theupper portion of the side pillar reinforcement 42 a disposed in theclosed cross-section space 51 s formed between the side panel outer 51 aand the side panel inner 51 b to the rear end attachment portion 35 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 16, coupling gussets 36 are provided tocouple, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the upper thick portions56 constituting the damper support portions 54 in upper portions of therear wheelhouses 52 to the lateral ends (i.e., portions of the rear endcross-member 71 coupled to the rear pillars 41) of the rear endcross-member 71 constituting the rear end 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front end of each coupling gusset 36 isfixed to the upper thick portion 56 in the upper portion of the rearwheelhouse inner panel 52 b projecting toward the trunk 3 such that thefront end of the coupling gusset 36 extends from the rear and laterallyinside in the vehicle and covers the upper thick portion 56. The rearend of the coupling gusset 36 has a substantially inverted L crosssection in a vehicle front view such that the rear end of the couplinggusset 36 can be fixed to a coupling portion between the rear pillar 41and the rear end cross-member 71, and extends from the front andlaterally inside in the vehicle and covers the coupling portion.

As described above, the rear end cross-member 71 is coupled to the rearlower ends of the rear pillars 41. The rear end cross-member 71extending in the vehicle lateral direction, the pair of left and rightcoupling gussets 36, the upper thick portions 56 of the rear wheelhouses52 including the pair of left and right damper support portions 54, thepair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements 53, and the floor rearcross-member 23 extending in the vehicle lateral direction constitute asubstantially ring-shaped vehicle body framework in the vehicle lateraldirection having a substantially ring shape in a vehicle body front viewand a vehicle body plan view (hereinafter referred to as a first rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1), as a vehicle bodystructure (see FIG. 1).

The thus-configured coupling members 33, reinforcing plates 34, andattachment brackets 35 are used to constitute a substantiallyring-shaped vehicle body framework in the vehicle lateral direction(hereinafter referred to as a second rear lateral ring-shaped vehiclebody framework RWC2) (see FIG. 1).

Specifically, the rear header 92 in the vehicle lateral direction andthe pair of left and right side pillars 42 constitute a vehicle bodyframework having a U shape that is open downward in a vehicle body frontview. The floor rear cross-member 23 in the vehicle lateral directionand the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 at the left and right of thevehicle body constitute a vehicle body framework having a U shape thatis open upward in a vehicle body front view.

The U shape that is open upward in the vehicle body front view andconstituted by the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 disposed ahead of therear wheelhouses 52 is disposed behind a vehicle body framework having aU shape that is open downward in a vehicle body front view andconstituted by the side pillars 42 disposed along the rear ends of theside door openings Es.

On the other hand, the coupling members 33 couple the front ends ofupper portions of the side pillars 42 constituting the vehicle bodyframework having the U shape that is open downward in the vehicle bodyfront view to the upper thick portions 56 as front parts of the dampersupport portions 54 near the upper ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements53 constituting the vehicle body framework having the U shape that isopen upward in the vehicle body front view.

The reinforcing plates 34 couple the rear pillars 41 coupled to the rearheader 92 constituting the vehicle body framework having the U shapethat is open downward in the vehicle body front view to the rear ends ofupper ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 constituting the vehiclebody framework having the U shape that is open upward in the vehiclebody framework. The side pillars 42 and the reinforcing plates 34constituting the vehicle body framework having the U shape that is opendownward in the vehicle body front view are attached across theattachment brackets 35.

Thus, the vehicle body framework having the U shape that is opendownward in the vehicle body front view and constituted by the sidepillars 42 disposed along the rear ends of the side door openings Es andthe vehicle body framework constituted by the wheelhouse reinforcements53 disposed ahead of the rear wheelhouses 52 behind the vehicle bodyframework and having the U shape that is open upward in the vehicle bodyfront view are coupled to each other through the coupling members 33coupling the front ends of the upper portions of the side pillars 42 tothe upper thick portions 56 as the front parts of the damper supportportions 54 near the upper ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 andthe attachment brackets 35 for attachment across the reinforcing plates34 coupled to the rear ends of the upper ends of the wheelhousereinforcements 53 and the side pillars 42 constituting the vehicle bodyframework having the U shape that is open downward in the vehicle bodyfront view.

In addition, the vehicle body framework having the U shape that is opendownward in the vehicle front view and constituted by the side pillars42 disposed along the rear ends of the side door openings Es and thevehicle body framework constituted by the wheelhouse reinforcements 53disposed ahead of the rear wheelhouses 52 behind the vehicle bodyframework and having the U shape that is open upward in the vehicle bodyfront view are coupled to each other through the reinforcing plates 34coupling the rear pillars 41 coupled to the rear header 92 constitutingthe vehicle body framework having the U shape that is open downward inthe vehicle body front view to the rear ends of the upper ends of thewheelhouse reinforcements 53 constituting the vehicle body frameworkhaving the U shape that is open upward in the vehicle front view.

In the manner described above, the vehicle body framework having the Ushape that is open downward in the vehicle body front view andconstituted by the side pillars 42 disposed along the rear ends of theside door openings Es and the vehicle body framework constituted by thewheelhouse reinforcements 53 disposed ahead of the rear wheelhouses 52behind the vehicle body framework and having the U shape that is openupward in the vehicle body front view are coupled to each other throughthe coupling members 33 and the attachment brackets 35 and through therear pillars 41 and the reinforcing plates 34. Thus, the rear header 92in the vehicle lateral direction and the left and right side pillars 42,the coupling members 33 and the attachment brackets 35, the wheelhousereinforcements 53, and the floor rear cross-member 23 in the vehiclelateral direction constitute the second rear lateral ring-shaped vehiclebody framework RWC2 in the vehicle lateral direction.

In addition, the second rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body frameworkRWC2 also includes, in addition to the substantially ring-shaped vehiclebody framework, a substantially ring-shaped vehicle body frameworkpassing through the reinforcing plates 34 coupled to the upper ends ofthe wheelhouse reinforcements 53 and the rear pillars 41 extendingrearward from the rear ends of the roof side rails 91.

Since the thus-configured second rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle bodyframework RWC2 uses the side pillars 42 constituting the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC along the side door openings Es,the second rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC2 and thelongitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC are coupled to eachother mechanically, that is, a force exerted on at least one of thelongitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC or the second rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC2 can be transferred tothe other.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the vehicle body front portion 1F alsoincludes a dash panel 61 rising from the front end of the floor panel21, extending substantially across the entire width of the vehicle, andseparating an engine room 6 and the cabin 2 from each other. Above thedash panel 61, a cowl panel 62 a extending in the vehicle lateraldirection and supporting the lower end of the front window across thesubstantially entire width of the vehicle is disposed. The cowl panel 62a constitutes a cowl cross 62 having a closed cross section, togetherwith a cowl cross member 62 b extending in the vehicle lateraldirection. The lateral sides of the cowl cross 62 are coupled tocoupling portions between the front pillars 44 and the hinge pillars 45through side part panels.

A pair of left and right front side frames 63 is respectively disposedat the left and right sides of the engine room 6 in a front portion ofthe dash panel 61 and extends in vehicle longitudinal direction. A pairof left and right apron reinforcements 64 is disposed laterally outsidethe front side frames 63 and separated above the front side frames 63,and extends forward from the upper ends of the hinge pillars 45.Suspension towers 65 including front damper support portions 65 a aredisposed at the lateral sides of the engine room 6.

Below the pair of left and right front side frames 63, front subframes66 extends in the lateral direction ahead of the dash panel 61. The rearends of the front subframes 66 are coupled to each other below the rearends of the front side frames 63, and are connected to ahead of thecross portions, ahead of the cross portion, are connected to throughsuspension cross support portions 67 that tilt upward and laterallyoutward ahead of the cross portion described above.

Suspension tower reinforcing members 68 constituted by closed crosssections extending in the vehicle vertical direction are disposed on thelaterally inner side surfaces of the suspension towers 65 formed betweenthe front side frames 63 and the apron reinforcements 64.

The thus-configured pair of left and right front subframes 66,suspension cross support portions 67, suspension tower reinforcingmembers 68, and cowl cross 62 in the vehicle lateral directionconstitute a substantially ring-shaped vehicle body framework in thevehicle lateral direction (hereinafter referred to as a front lateralring-shaped vehicle body framework FWC) near the front damper supportportions 65 a (see FIG. 1).

The lateral sides of the cowl cross 62 constituting the front lateralring-shaped vehicle body framework FWC are coupled, through the sidepart panels, to the coupling portions between the front pillars 44 andthe hinge pillars 45 constituting the longitudinal ring-shaped vehiclebody frameworks SLC along the side door openings Es. Thus, the frontlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework FWC and the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC are mechanically coupled to eachother. That is, a force exerted on at least one of the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC or the front lateral ring-shapedvehicle body framework FWC can be transferred to the other.

As described above, the vehicle body structure in a vehicle rear portionincludes the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1disposed in the vehicle body rear portion 1R and extending from thevicinities of the pair of left and right damper support portions 54supporting the suspension dampers 55 and disposed in the rearwheelhouses 52 behind the side door openings Es in the vehicle, acrossthe rear end 7 extending in the vehicle lateral direction. The vehiclebody structure also includes the longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle bodyframeworks SLC each having a ring shape in the vehicle longitudinaldirection and constituted by the pair of left and right hinge pillars 45disposed in the vehicle body front portion 1F, the pair of left andright front pillars 44 extending rearward from the upper ends of thehinge pillars 45, the pair of left and right roof side rails 91, thepair of left and right side pillars 42 disposed along the rear ends ofthe side door openings Es, and the pair of left and right side sills 46coupling the lower ends of the side pillars 42 to the lower ends of thehinge pillars 45 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The first rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 includes the rear endcross-member 71 coupling, in the vehicle lateral direction, the lowerends of the pair of left and right rear pillars 41 extending rearwardand downward from the rear ends of the pair of left and right roof siderails 91, the pair of left and right coupling gussets 36 coupling therear end cross-member 71 to the rear wheelhouses 52 in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses 52having upper portions in which the damper support portions 54 aredisposed, the pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements 53disposed along the rear wheelhouses 52, located ahead of the dampersupport portions 54, and having front portions of the upper ends joinedto the rear ends of the side pillars 42, and the floor rear cross-member23 coupling the lower ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 in thevehicle lateral direction. The vehicle body structure also includes thecoupling members 33 to which the strikers 33 a are attached and whichcouple the front ends of the side pillars 42 to the wheelhousereinforcements 53. Accordingly, support stiffness of the suspensions canbe enhanced in the entire vehicle body.

Specifically, the longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLCeach having a ring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction andconstituted by the pair of left and right hinge pillars 45 disposed inthe vehicle body front portion 1F, the pair of left and right frontpillars 44 extending rearward from the upper ends of the hinge pillars45, the pair of left and right roof side rails 91, the pair of left andright side pillars 42 disposed along the rear ends of the side dooropenings Es, and the pair of left and right side sills 46 coupling thelower ends of the side pillars 42 to the lower ends of the hinge pillars45 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The first rear lateralring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 is constituted by the rear endcross-member 71 coupling, in the vehicle lateral direction, the lowerends of the pair of left and right rear pillars 41 extending rearwardand downward from the rear ends of the pair of left and right roof siderails 91, the pair of left and right coupling gussets 36 coupling therear end cross-member 71 to the rear wheelhouses 52 in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses 52having upper portions in which the damper support portions 54 aredisposed, the pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements 53disposed along the rear wheelhouses 52, located ahead of the dampersupport portions 54, and having front portions of the upper ends coupledto the rear ends of the side pillars 42, and the floor rear cross-member23 coupling the lower ends of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 in thevehicle lateral direction.

In addition, the front ends of the side pillars 42 constituting thelongitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC each having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction arecoupled to the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 constituting the first rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle lateral direction by the coupling members 33to which the strikers 33 a are attached. Accordingly, the vehicle bodyframeworks having substantially ring shapes in multiple directions inthe vehicle are formed so that support stiffness of the suspensions canbe enhanced in the entire vehicle body. Thus, forces input by the frontsuspensions and the rear suspensions can be transferred without delay sothat comfort of passengers can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the use of members for attaching the strikers 33 a as thecoupling members 33 constituting substantially ring-shaped vehicle bodyframeworks can suppress an increase in the number of parts and alsosuppress an increase in weight.

In addition, since the coupling members 33 can reinforce joint portionsbetween the side pillars 42 and the wheelhouse reinforcements 53, theside pillars 42 and the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 can be coupled toeach other with higher stiffness.

Moreover, even in the case where the lower ends of the side pillars 42are separated from the damper support portions 54, the side pillars 42and the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 can be coupled to each other whileboth of stiffness of the rear edges of the side door openings Es andsupport stiffness of the damper support portions 54 are ensured.

Since portions of the coupling members 33 toward the wheelhousereinforcements 53 are coupled to front parts of the damper supportportions 54, the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses 52 having upperportions in which the damper support portions 54 are disposed andconstituting the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body frameworkRWC1 having the substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection are directly coupled to the coupling members 33. Accordingly,it is possible to enhance stiffness in coupling the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC each having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the first rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

Even in a case where the distance between the damper support portions 54and the side pillar reinforcements 42 a is large, stiffness of thedamper support portions 54 is ensured by the coupling members 33coupling the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 to the front ends of the sidepillar reinforcements 42 a, and the coupling members 33 for attachingportions of the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 and the strikers 33 a areused for coupling the longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworksSLC having the substantially ring shape in the vehicle longitudinaldirection to the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body frameworkRWC1 having the substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection.

The coupling members 33 are constituted by the striker attachmentbrackets to which the strikers 33 a to be engaged with the latches ofthe seat backs are attached. Accordingly, the striker attachmentbrackets to be engaged with the latches of the seat backs function asthe coupling members 33, and the striker attachment brackets are usedfor enhancing stiffness in coupling the longitudinal ring-shaped vehiclebody frameworks SLC each having the substantially ring shape in thevehicle longitudinal direction to the first rear lateral ring-shapedvehicle body framework RWC1 having the substantially ring shape in thevehicle lateral direction.

The reinforcing plates 34 to which the seatbelt retractors are attachedare disposed at the sides of the damper support portions 54 in the sidepanel inners 51 b constituting the side pillars 42 together with theside pillar reinforcements 42 a. The reinforcing plates 34 couple therear pillars 41 extending rearward from the rear ends of the roof siderails 91 to the rear ends of the upper ends of the wheelhousereinforcements 53. Thus, the reinforcing plates 34 disposed to the sidepanel inners 51 b at the sides of the damper support portions 54 arecoupled to the rear ends of the upper ends of the wheelhousereinforcements 53, and the upper ends of the reinforcing plates 34 arecoupled to the rear pillars 41. Accordingly, it is possible to enhancestiffness in coupling the longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle bodyframeworks SLC each having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelongitudinal direction to the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehiclebody framework RWC1 having the substantially ring shape in the vehiclelateral direction by using the reinforcing plates 34 to which theseatbelt retractors are attached.

The reinforcing plates 34 are constituted by attachment plates to whichthe seatbelt retractors are attached. Accordingly, the attachment platesfor the seatbelt retractors function as the reinforcing plate 34. Theattachment plates are used for enhancing stiffness in coupling thelongitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC each having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction to thefirst rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction.

The attachment brackets 35 are provided for attachment across thereinforcing plates and the side pillar reinforcements 42 a. Accordingly,it is possible to enhance stiffness in coupling the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC each having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the first rearlateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 having the substantiallyring shape in the vehicle lateral direction by using the attachmentbrackets 35 to which the seatbelt retractors are attached.

Since the damper support portions 54 are constituted by the upper thickportions 56 extending to the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 and thickerthan the other portion, the coupling gussets 36 constituting the firstrear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction couple therear end cross-member 71 to the upper thick portions 56 in the rearwheelhouses 52 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Thus, the vehiclebody framework has higher stiffness.

Even in the case where the damper support portions 54 disposed in therear wheelhouses 52 are separated away from the wheelhousereinforcements 53, the upper thick portions 56 thicker than the otherportion and extending to the wheelhouse reinforcements 53 can suppress adecrease in the support stiffness.

In addition, the roof side rails 91, the side pillar reinforcements 42 adisposed at the rear ends of the side door openings Es, the wheelhousereinforcements 53, and the floor rear cross-member 23 constitute thesecond rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC2 having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction near thedamper support portions 54 of the left and right rear suspensions. Thus,the first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1 havingthe substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction andextending across the rear end 7 from portions near the damper supportportions 54 in the left and right rear suspensions can be coupled to thesecond rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC2 having thesubstantially ring shape in the vehicle lateral direction around thevicinity of the damper support portions 54 of the left and right rearsuspensions, by using the side pillar reinforcements 42 a. Thus, supportstiffness of the damper support portions 54 of the rear suspensions inthe vehicle body rear portion 1R can be further enhanced so that supportstiffness of the suspensions in the entire vehicle body can be enhanced.

As correspondences between the configuration of the technique disclosedhere and the embodiment described above, a vehicle body framework havinga substantially ring shape in a vehicle lateral direction corresponds tothe first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework RWC1, andsimilarly, vehicle body frameworks each having a substantially ringshape in a vehicle longitudinal direction correspond to the longitudinalring-shaped vehicle body frameworks SLC, a floor cross-membercorresponds to the floor rear cross-member 23, a vehicle partcorresponds to the striker 33 a, a vehicle part corresponds to theseatbelt retractor, a thick portion corresponds to the upper thickportion 56, and a vehicle body framework having a substantially ringshape in the vehicle lateral direction near a damper support portioncorresponds to the second rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle bodyframework RWC2. However, the technique disclosed here is not limitedonly to the configuration of the above embodiment, and is applicable tomay embodiments.

For example, the foregoing description is directed to the vehicle bodyincluding the center pillars 43, but a two-door type vehicle bodyincluding no center pillars 43 may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1R vehicle body rear portion-   1F vehicle body front portion-   7 rear end-   23 floor rear cross-member-   33 coupling member-   35 attachment bracket-   41 rear pillar-   42 side pillar-   42 a side pillar reinforcement-   44 front pillar-   45 hinge pillar-   46 side sill-   51 b side panel inner-   52 rear wheelhouse-   53 wheelhouse reinforcement-   54 damper support portion-   55 suspension damper-   56 upper thick portion-   71 rear end cross-member-   91 roof side rail-   Es side door opening-   RWC1 first rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework (second    vehicle body framework)-   RWC2 second rear lateral ring-shaped vehicle body framework (third    vehicle body framework)-   SLC longitudinal ring-shaped vehicle body framework (first vehicle    body framework)

1. A vehicle body structure comprising: first vehicle body frameworkseach having a substantially ring shape in a vehicle longitudinaldirection and disposed at peripheries of side door openings of thevehicle; and a second vehicle body framework having a substantially ringshape in a vehicle lateral direction and disposed at vehicle rear of theside door openings of the vehicle, wherein the first vehicle bodyframework includes a pair of left and right hinge pillars disposed in avehicle front portion, a pair of left and right front pillars extendingrearward in the vehicle from upper ends of the pair of left and righthinge pillars, a pair of left and right roof side rails extendingrearward in the vehicle from upper ends of the pair of left and rightfront pillars, a pair of left and right side pillars disposed along rearends of the side door openings, and a pair of left and right side sillscoupling lower ends of the pair of left and right side pillars to lowerends of the pair of left and right hinge pillars in the vehiclelongitudinal direction, the second vehicle body framework includes arear end cross-member coupling, in the vehicle lateral direction, lowerends of a pair of left and right rear pillars extending rearward anddownward in the vehicle from lower ends of the pair of left and rightroof side rails, a pair of left and right rear wheelhouses, dampersupport portions supporting suspension dampers being disposed in upperportions of the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses, a pair of leftand right coupling gussets coupling the rear end cross-member to theupper portions of the pair of left and right rear wheelhouses in thevehicle longitudinal direction, a pair of left and right the rearwheelhouses, the damper support portions being disposed in upperportions of the pair of left and right the rear wheelhouses, a pair ofleft and right wheelhouse reinforcements disposed along the pair of leftand right rear wheelhouses and located at vehicle front of the dampersupport portions, front portions of upper ends of the pair of left andright wheelhouse reinforcements being joined to rear ends of the pair ofleft and right side pillars, and a floor cross-member coupling lowerends of the pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements in thevehicle lateral direction, and the vehicle body structure furthercomprises coupling members coupling front ends of the pair of left andright side pillars to the pair of left and right wheelhousereinforcements, vehicle parts being attached to the coupling members. 2.The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein portions of thecoupling members toward the pair of left and right wheelhousereinforcements are coupled to front parts of the damper supportportions.
 3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, whereinthe coupling members are constituted by striker attachment brackets towhich strikers are attached, and the striker attachment brackets areconfigured to be engaged with latches of seat backs.
 4. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 1, wherein reinforcing plates to whichvehicle parts are attached are disposed at sides of the damper supportportions in side panel inners constituting the pair of left and rightside pillars together with side pillar reinforcements, and thereinforcing plates couple rear pillars extending rearward from rear endsof the pair of left and right roof side rails to rear ends of upper endsof the pair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements.
 5. The vehiclebody structure according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing plates areconstituted by attachment plates to which seatbelt retractors areattached.
 6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, whereinattachment brackets are disposed for attachment across the attachmentplates and the side pillar reinforcements.
 7. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the damper support portions extend to thepair of left and right wheelhouse reinforcements, and are constituted bythick portions thicker than other portions.
 8. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 1, further comprising: a third vehicle bodyframework having a substantially ring shape in the vehicle lateraldirection and disposed near the damper support portions of left andright rear suspensions, wherein the third vehicle body frameworkincludes a rear header, side pillar reinforcements disposed at rear endsof the side door openings, the pair of left and right wheelhousereinforcements, and a floor cross-member.
 9. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 2, wherein the coupling members are constituted bystriker attachment brackets to which strikers are attached, and thestriker attachment brackets are configured to be engaged with latches ofseat backs.
 10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, whereinreinforcing plates to which vehicle parts are attached are disposed atsides of the damper support portions in side panel inners constitutingthe pair of left and right side pillars together with side pillarreinforcements, and the reinforcing plates couple rear pillars extendingrearward from rear ends of the pair of left and right roof side rails torear ends of upper ends of the pair of left and right wheelhousereinforcements.
 11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3,wherein reinforcing plates to which vehicle parts are attached aredisposed at sides of the damper support portions in side panel innersconstituting the pair of left and right side pillars together with sidepillar reinforcements, and the reinforcing plates couple rear pillarsextending rearward from rear ends of the pair of left and right roofside rails to rear ends of upper ends of the pair of left and rightwheelhouse reinforcements.
 12. The vehicle body structure according toclaim 9, wherein reinforcing plates to which vehicle parts are attachedare disposed at sides of the damper support portions in side panelinners constituting the pair of left and right side pillars togetherwith side pillar reinforcements, and the reinforcing plates couple rearpillars extending rearward from rear ends of the pair of left and rightroof side rails to rear ends of upper ends of the pair of left and rightwheelhouse reinforcements.
 13. The vehicle body structure according toclaim 10, wherein the reinforcing plates are constituted by attachmentplates to which seatbelt retractors are attached.
 14. The vehicle bodystructure according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing plates areconstituted by attachment plates to which seatbelt retractors areattached.
 15. The vehicle body structure according to claim 12, whereinthe reinforcing plates are constituted by attachment plates to whichseatbelt retractors are attached.
 16. The vehicle body structureaccording to claim 13, wherein attachment brackets are disposed forattachment across the attachment plates and the side pillarreinforcements.
 17. The vehicle body structure according to claim 14,wherein attachment brackets are disposed for attachment across theattachment plates and the side pillar reinforcements.
 18. The vehiclebody structure according to claim 15, wherein attachment brackets aredisposed for attachment across the attachment plates and the side pillarreinforcements.